Methods, devices, and systems for part-to-build

ABSTRACT

Methods, devices, and systems for determining a job file for a three-dimensional printing machine based on part-to-build data. Embodiments include determining the part-to-build data based on: determining part data from a received computer-aided design (CAD) file, generating orientation data, generating support data, generating feature data, and generating slicing data. In some embodiments, determining the job file may be further based on generating nesting matrix associated with the part-to-build data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/514,730, filed Jun. 2, 2017, the contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF ENDEAVOR

The field of the invention relates to Additive Manufacturing and 3Dprinting, and systems thereof, and more particularly, to methods,devices, and systems for providing more efficient construction of amodel for 3D printing while eliminating repeated input from the user andcomputation of data.

BACKGROUND

Additive Manufacturing (AM)—also known as 3D printing—refers to avariety of manufacturing processes where a part is built by addingmaterial to a smaller base versus traditional subtractive manufacturingwhereby material is removed, machined, from a larger stock. In powderbed additive manufacturing a heat source melts layer by layer thepowder, in direct metal deposition the material is added, commonly as asolid or powder, to a melt pool created by a heat source. AM parts arefirst described as 3D CAD models to which the manufacturing instructionsmust be added and then all the data is converted into a job file whichis used to drive the AM machine.

Building a part by AM processes may take anywhere from several hours toseveral days—depending on the AM method used and the size and complexityof the model. Accordingly, the processing time is still extremely longand laborious leaving room for much inefficiency.

SUMMARY

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, builds parts that aredefined by 3D Computer-aided design (CAD) files. One or more 3D CADfile(s) may be combined, prepared for building with the manufacturinginformation needed to build them, and converted into a job file, whichis used by the 3D printing machine to build the parts. The job file maycomprise all the information needed to build the parts in a specific 3Dprinting machine.

In one embodiment, a system includes a part-to-build component, thepart-to-build component includes a processor and an addressable memory,the processor configured to receive at least one computer-aided design(CAD) file, determine part data from the at least one CAD file basedupon the received user input, generate orientation data associated withthe determined part data via an orientation component, generate supportdata related to the determined part data via a support generationcomponent, generate feature data related to the determined part data viaa feature type component, generate slicing data related to thedetermined part data via a slicing component, and generate apart-to-build file the part-to-build file includes at least one CADfile, and at least one of part data, orientation data, support data,feature data, and slicing data, and a job generating component the jobgenerating component includes a processor and an addressable memory, theprocessor configured to receive a generated part-to-build file,determine a nesting matrix related to the received part-to-build filevia a nesting component, generate a job file the job file includes datafor operating a three-dimensional printer, and output the job file to athree-dimensional printing machine.

In another embodiment, the part-to-build component processor is alsoconfigured to receive user input from a user interface.

In a still further embodiment, part data includes data relating to atleast one part contained within a computer-aided design (CAD) file.

In still another embodiment, the generation of support data is alsobased on the generated orientation data.

In a yet further embodiment, the part-to-build component processor isalso configured to receive surface recognition data related to thedetermined part data from an external surface recognition component.

In yet another embodiment the generation of feature data is based off ofthe received surface recognition data and defines characteristicfeatures of the determined part data.

In a still yet further embodiment, the generation of slicing data isalso related to orientation data, support data, and feature data.

In another embodiment, the part-to-build file includes at least one CADfile, part data, orientation data, support data, feature data, andslicing data.

In an additional embodiment, the job generating component processor isalso configured to receive user input from a user interface.

In still yet another embodiment, the determination of a nesting matrixis also based upon the received user input.

In a still additional embodiment, the job file is capable of directing athree-dimensional printing machine to machine the data contained withinthe job file.

In yet further embodiments, a method includes transmitting a request toa three-dimensional (3D) printing machine for machine-specific databased on receiving job input data including data related to a desiredbuild, receiving a part-to-build file the part-to-build file includesgeometry data relating to at least one three-dimensional computer-aideddesign (CAD) file, and a set of manufacturing information data includingat least one of part orientation data, support structure data, featuredata, and slicing data, determining feature type data, generatingexposure strategy data, determining nesting matrix data, and generatinga machine job file based on the generated exposure strategy data anddetermined nesting matrix data.

In a yet additional embodiment, the manufacturing information dataincludes part orientation data, support structure data, feature data,and slicing data.

In a further embodiment again, the determination of feature type data isbased on the feature data extracted from the received part-to-buildfile.

In an additional embodiment again, the generating of exposure strategydata is based on at least one of the determined feature type data andthe machine-specific data.

In another further embodiment, the determining of nesting matrix data isbased on the received job input data.

In another additional embodiment, the generation of a machine job fileis also based on geometry data related to at least one three-dimensionalCAD file of, slicing data, support structure data, feature data, andmachine-specific data.

In still yet additional embodiments, a device for generating a job fileincludes a processor and addressable memory, the processor configured toreceive at least one computer-aided design (CAD) file, determine partdata from the at least one CAD file, generate orientation data relatedto the determined part data, generate support data related to thedetermined part data and, generate feature data related to thedetermined part data, generate slicing data related to the determinedpart data, and generate a part-to-build file the part-to-build fileincludes geometry data related to at least one CAD file and at least oneof, part data, orientation data, support data, feature data, and slicingdata, generate exposure strategy data based on the part-to-build file,determine nesting part data, and generate a job file.

In a yet additional embodiment, the generation of support data is basedon the generated orientation data. In still yet another embodiment, thegeneration of slicing data is also related to orientation data, supportdata, and feature data.

In a yet further embodiment, the generation of a part-to-build fileincludes geometry data related to at least one CAD file, part data,orientation data, support data, feature data, and slicing data.

In a further embodiment again, the determination of nesting part data isrelated to the received part-to-build file. In an additional furtherembodiment, the generation of the job file is related to the receiveddata in the part-to-build file, exposure strategy data, and nested partdata.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in thefigures of the accompanying drawing, and in which:

FIG. 1A depicts a current system of 3D printing;

FIG. 1B depicts a functional block diagram of a current 3D printingprocess;

FIG. 2 depicts a functional block diagram of a Part-to-Build 3D printingprocess according to various aspects of the present embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a top level functional process of aPart-to-Build embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a top level functional process of 3D machiningprocess embodiment using Part-to-Build;

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a Part-to-Build system accordingto various aspects of the present embodiments;

FIG. 6 depicts a flow chart of an optimized workflow in a Part-to-Buildsystem according to various aspects of the present embodiments;

FIG. 7 depicts a functional block diagram of the Part-to-Build systemaccording to various aspects of the present embodiments;

FIG. 8 depicts another functional block diagram of the Part-to-Buildsystem according to various aspects of the present embodiments;

FIG. 9 depicts a data workflow of the generation of a machine job fileutilizing Part-to-Build data according to various aspects of the presentembodiments; and

FIG. 10 depicts a workflow of a Part-to-Build system according tovarious aspects of the present embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A depicts an exemplary functional block diagram of a typical 3Dprinting process 100 where a 3D print design may be stored in a fileformat, for example, STereoLithography (STL) file 115. STL files 115 maydescribe surface geometry of a three-dimensional object in a raw,unstructured triangulated surface. Once the STL file 115 is created, thefile may need to be processed by a slicer component 120. The slicercomponent 120 may convert the model stored in the physical file (STLfile, 115) into a series of thin layers and produce a job file 125,i.e., printer instruction file, containing instructions tailored to aspecific type of 3D printer. The job file 125 may then be printed with a3D printing client component 180, which may itself load the job file125, and use it to instruct the 3D printer during the 3D printingprocess. The 3D printing process may then create the printed object 190.

FIG. 1B, depicts an exemplary functional block diagram of a conventional3D printing process 101 based on a received Computer-aided design (CAD)data file. CAD File 1 103 and CAD File 2 104 may go through the stagesof first preparing the part 105, then preparing the build 106, 107, andoutputting the converted build as Build 1 108 and Build 2 109.Generally, the process 101 starts with a CAD file 103, 104 and then eachpart is prepared 105 prior to building. Preparing a part 105 for a buildmay include determining which parts from each CAD file will be includedin a particular build as a CAD file may include multiple parts, withonly a subset of those parts being desired for printing by the user.Build preparation 106, 107 may, for example, include conversion of a CADfile 103, 104 into an STL file, sending the STL file to a slicercomponent, and translating the data to a native printer job file, wherethe job file may then be sent to the 3D printer for printing. In thismethod, all the parts are prepared and formatted for printing during thebuild preparation 106, 107. For example, given a part 1 and part 2selected from a CAD file 103, 104, both are sliced and formatted forprinting during the build preparation 106, 107. In this example, ifthere is a need to 3D print ten (10) units of part 1 and twenty (20)units of part 2, they would be sliced at the end of the buildpreparation 106. That is, the part 1 portion would need to be sliced 10times and the part 2 portion would need to be sliced 20 times. As isevident in this method, multiple parts are typically needed for each CADfile and build. As depicted, multiple part preparations, slicingcalculations, and data format processes may be necessary to achieve thedesired build.

In aspects of the present embodiments, an embodiment of thePart-to-Build system may divide the process of preparing the job fileinto two steps and create a re-usable intermediary file: a Part-to-Builddata file. Any given Part-to-Build file may be used in the generation ofone or more job files without redefining or recalculating themanufacturing information necessary for a 3D print build. By way of anexample and not limitation, some of the advantages of the Part-to-Buildsystem may be: saving processing time by eliminating the need torepeatedly define the manufacturing information; improving part buildconsistency each time a part is built regardless of the job file; andmaintaining traceability, since each build may be traced back to theoriginal 3D CAD file and associated manufacturing information. In oneexample, the ability to trace the build for each produced part may allowidentification of the corresponding job, and the correspondingPart-to-Build. That is, parts build from a given Part-to-Build data filemay be identified making it possible to trace any differences betweenproduced parts from the same Part-to-Build data.

In one embodiment, the Part-to-Build file may include the original 3DCAD file along with the manufacturing information needed to build it.That is, manufacturing information such as the following may beincluded:

-   -   Part orientation data in 3D space for the build;    -   Support structure data added to the oriented part;    -   Feature data defining characteristic features of the original        parts for printing; and    -   Slicing performed to save time generating subsequent job files.

As depicted in FIG. 2, 3D printing—or additive manufacturing—buildsparts that are defined by CAD files 203, 204 where the CAD files 203,204 may be 3D CAD files according to various aspects of the presentembodiments. For example, the system 200 may receive the same CAD files,CAD file 1 203 and CAD file 2 204, as in FIG. 1B. In the Part-to-Buildsystem 200, the one or more 3D CAD file(s) 203, 204 may be selected,combined, prepared 213, 214 for building with the addition ofmanufacturing information needed to build them, and converted into aPart-to-Build file 223, 224. In many embodiments, the Part-to-Build file223, 224 may be an XML-style form file. In a number of embodiments, thePart-to-Build file 223, 224 comprises at least one 3D CAD file andassociated manufacturing information related to 3D printing of the 3DCAD file(s). In various embodiments, Part-to-Build files may be utilizedin build preparations 233, 234. In certain embodiments, 3D printingbuilds 243, 244 may be prepared 233, 234 with multiple Part-to-Buildfiles 223, 224. In more embodiments, the build preparation 233, 234generates a job file which is used by the machine to build 243, 244 theparts. The job file may comprise all the information necessary to buildthe parts in a specific machine. A job file in the Part-to-Build system200 may include:

-   -   Manufacturing information data obtained from the one or more        Part-to-Build files;    -   Nested and repeated matrix data as needed for the build;    -   Exposure strategy corresponding to each feature; and    -   Formatted machining data in the machine-specific input format.

In this embodiment, the slicing may be performed on the original CADfiles 203, 204, that is, the part slicer may calculate the build layers(i.e., slices) directly from the original 3D CAD model for the highestlevel of performance and accuracy. The Part-to-Build system 200 may thenperform the part preparation 213, 214, and introduce an intermediarystep of a Part-to-Build file 223, 224 generation. The Part-to-Build datageneration process may determine slices that can be stored with thePart-to-Build file 223, 224 along with feature information and supportstructure generation that may then be reused in multiple jobs, therebysaving time and providing consistency from build to build.

By way of example and not limitation, when a Part-to-Build system 200 isutilized, in comparison to the previous method of use depicted in FIG.1B without the intermediate Part-to-Build files 223, 224, computationalefficiencies can be realized. Similar to the process outlined in thediscussion of FIG. 1B, a part 1 can be prepared one (1) time and onlyrequires to be sliced one (1) time at the end of the preparation step213, 214; subsequently, a part 2 can be prepared one (1) time and isonly required to be sliced one (1) time at the end of the preparationstep 213, 214. That is, ten (10) units of part 1 and twenty (20) unitsof part 2 are placed in the build chamber during the build preparation223, 224 with only two slice calculations being performed, compared tothe total of thirty (30) slices as per the example of FIG. 1B.Accordingly, to generate and export the build file, the slicing data isrepeated (and transformed corresponding to the place and orientation ofthe part in the chamber), thereby requiring slicing calculations to begenerated only two (2) times to produce 30 parts (versus slicing 30times to produce 30 parts). In a subsequent job for making a part, thepreviously prepared Part-to-Build files 223, 224 and/or job files may beused for the 3D printing of part 1 and part 2. So, if the subsequent jobrequires a different number of parts, for example, 10 units of part 1and 10 units of part 2, then by nesting, the subsequent job file may bebased on the previously prepared parts in the Part-to-Build files 223,224 (having the 3D CAD model and manufacturing information includingslicing data). In one embodiment, the slicing may be done differentlyfor a subsequent job based on the slicing method, and similarly, themanufacturing information may be updated or modified in subsequent jobs,however, data related to each part previously prepared can be utilizedin the build preparation process, thereby potentially reducing theprocessing time.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of the Part-to-Build system workflowwhere a Part-to-Build file 314 includes an original 3D CAD file imported302 from a 3D CAD Model. Once imported 302, the system 300 may orient304 the part by placing the part in the proper orientation space andgenerating orientation data. Subsequent to orienting 304 the part, thesystem 300 may detect regions to support and create appropriate support305 structure data to be added to the oriented part data. The system 300may then automatically determine, via recognition of any features 306,i.e., volumes, what features are to be included in the generation offeature data. In certain embodiments, a toolpath determination step maythen be performed where creation of exposure 307 strategy data 307 forthe original part and its related support structure data is determined.In other embodiments, the Part-to-Build file 314 is generated withoutexposure strategy data 307. A slicing 308 step may then be performed todetermine slicing data related to an internal slicing of the model,saving time for preparing any subsequent job files. At this point, thePart-to-Build steps have imported 302 a CAD file and prepared the CADfile for print production; and the Part-to-Build file 314 has been savedfor future job file generation 310. Once a part-to-build file 314 hasbeen created, a job 316 selection may be performed to setup the job 316using Part-to-Build files 314 and to optimize the work envelope and theprocessing of parts. The job 316 may be performed by nesting 309 andautomatically placing and orienting different parts within the job. Ajob file is created and/or generated 310 which may then be executed.Finally, the actual additive machining may be performed to build 312 thepart based on the Part-to-Build file 314 previously generated.

By storing the manufacturing information needed to build the part in aPart-to-Build file 314, the file 314 may then be used in one or more jobfiles without redefining the manufacturing information. Thismanufacturing information provides information on how the part isoriented in space for the build (i.e., rotation and translation) and isused for creation of a job file that itself may comprise one or morePart-to-Build files 314, nested and repeated as needed, and formattedinto a machine-specific format.

FIG. 4 depicts a functional block diagram of the Part-to-Build system400 where the system 400 may use a database 410 where all theintermediate objects: CAD part 420, Part-to-Build file 440, job file460, log file 480, and all the links between these files may be storedin a central database 410. The database 410 may act as a central nodethat links the different objects. Accordingly, a CAD part 420 may be aninput to a Part-to-Build component 430 where a Part-to-Build file isdetermined and stored in the database 410. Once the Part-to-Build file440 is determined, it may then be used in a job module 450 to create ajob file 460, where the job file 460 may also be stored in the database410. The job file 460 is then used as input to the 3D printing machine470 that may then create a log file 480, also stored in the database410.

FIG. 5 depicts a functional block diagram of the Part-to-Build system500, where the system 500 comprises a user interface 550 that allows forthe inputting or importing of 3D CAD files 551, 552 from a 3D CAD modelsdatabase 541. A planning component 510 may be executed by the system togenerate manufacturing information and to orient the part, determinesupports, recognize features, and (optionally) determine exposurestrategies, i.e., toolpaths. The planning component 510 may thendetermine a Part-to-Build file and store the file in a Part-to-Builddatabase 542. In certain embodiments, a slicing component 520 may readas input from the planning module 510 and use one or more of thePart-to-Build files stored in the Part-to-Build database 542, forslicing. In other embodiments, the slicing component 520 is utilized bythe planning component 510 in the generation of manufacturing data andslices the 3D CAD files 551, 552 prior to the generation and storage ofthe Part-to-Build file. The slicing component 520 may divide the 3Dmodel stored in the one or more Part-to-Build files or in the 3D CADfiles 551, 552, into a number of horizontal layers for job preparation.In additional embodiments, a job generation component 530 may thenreceive from the slicing component 520 all the data 521 necessary forand associated with the part for job file creation. In furtherembodiments, the job generation component 530 may receive the data 521necessary for job file creation from the planning component 510 orPart-to-Build device 502. The job generation component 530 may then, viaan automatic placement and orientation of the different parts in thejob, create a nesting 543 for setting up the job using the Part-to-Buildfiles and process the parts for building 544.

In one embodiment of the Part-to-Build system 500, a re-usableintermediary file, the Part-to-Build file, may be determined therebydistributing the preparation of the job file to different components ofthe system. By apportioning the processing to different components andsteps, e.g., two steps, the need for redefining any manufacturinginformation for each job may be eliminated. That is, the Computer-aidedmanufacturing (CAM) component may create a job file with all theparameters for all entities and the Computer numerical control (CNC)component of the additive machine may directly generate the trajectoryfrom all the given parameters. In this scheme, all the given parametersmay be grouped in a job file. Hence, in the powder bed after theslicing, a file is created with all the contours of each area to melt ineach layer. Optionally, in an additive CAM component utilizing thePart-to-Build system 500, after slicing is performed, the contours aresaved in a slice file. Then parts are nested in the job module. When thejob is exported, the slice file is exported in a layer file (.sli or.clf) taking into consideration the position of the part in the job.Then, layer file and feature parameters are grouped in a job file. Thejob file may comprise all the information needed to create thetrajectory but the trajectory is directly created by the CNC.Accordingly, the need for exporting of such contours in a layer file,for example, .sli or .cli or .clf, may be diminished since their partsare already nested.

FIG. 6 depicts a flow chart of an optimized workflow in a Part-to-Buildsystem. By determining a set of Part-to-Build files, where each part610, 620, 630, 640 is saved with all the Part-to-Build information 615,625, 635, 645 required to make that part, at any time, those differentparts 610, 620, 630, 640 may be easily put into a job selection 650 andbuilt 312. That is, the Part-to-Build file, whether stored in a databaseor in addressable memory for quicker access, may provide links to allthe intermediate objects and allow the system to link all the files, forexample, CAD parts, parts to be built, job files, log files, etc. Asdepicted, different job numbers may be used by the job selectioncomponent, where the system may perform a job selection 650 by bringingin numerous Part-to-Build files, nest 309 them in proper configurations,generate 310 a job file, and build 312 the parts via the machining step.

FIG. 7 depicts a functional block diagram of an embodiment of thePart-to-Build system 700. In this embodiment, a user interface 710 maybe provided for accepting user input data. The Part-to-Build computingdevice 720, may comprise a processor and addressable memory, andsynchronize the different components via a linking function. In oneembodiment, a set of parts that are needed to be built, parts to build740, may transmit all the parts that are needed to be built to a partpreparation component 750 which may determine the different parts thatare to be built, i.e., prepare the part(s), for example, in a list. Abuild preparation component 760 may then be executed to prepare a build,where the build preparation component 760 does not prepare all the partsreceived from the part preparation component 750 as they arrive,instead, each part is prepared once. Once each of the parts are preparedby the part preparation component 750, at the end of the buildpreparation 760, the slicing component 770 may then slice each preparedpart. In one embodiment, each part may be placed in a build chamberduring the build preparation. Subsequently, to export the build file,the sliced parts are repeated and transformed corresponding to the placeof the part in the chamber. In some embodiments, the Part-to-Buildcomputing device may output data for machining 790 by a 3D printingmachine.

FIG. 8 depicts a functional block diagram of a Part-to-Build system 800.In this embodiment, a Part-to-Build component 830 takes in as input CADdata, for example, a 3D CAD file, and determines Part-to-Build data tooutput, for example, as a Part-to-Build file 840 where the Part-to-Buildfile 840 may be sent to a Job Processing Component 850—itself incommunication with a user interface 851—and utilizing a nestingcomponent 852 and a post processor component 860 may then generate andoutput a job file 870 based on the input. In one embodiment, the systemmay select part data 815 for a specific part intended for printing froma number of part data stored in the 3D CAD file. That is, a subset ofone or more parts and associated part data out of a complete set ofparts and parts data may be extracted from the CAD file for processing.The system 800 may use the generated job file 870 for machining 880 thedesired build for one or more parts.

The Part-to-Build component 830 may be in communication with a UserInterface 820, e.g., for accepting and/or outputting user data, and asurface recognition component 825. The Part-to-Build component 830 maycomprise a feature type component 812, a support generation component811, an orientation component 810, and a slicing component 813. In oneaspect of the embodiments, the orientation component may generateorientation data based on the selected orientation of the input CADfile. In some embodiments, the user interface 820 may provide input froma user regarding which parts 815 from the 3D models contained in the 3DCAD file are to be selected and included in the build process. In someembodiments, the orientated parts selected from the 3D models within the3D CAD file may be utilized as an input for the support generationcomponent 811 to generate support data. In other embodiments, thegenerated supported and oriented parts from the 3D models may beutilized as an input for the feature type component 812 which mayanalyze the features of the oriented 3D model and associated supports.In one embodiment, a feature may be the model describing the part toprint and may be divided into several features. Each feature, forexample, a solid or a volume, may have a unique manufacturing strategyassociated with it. Further, a feature type may be a generic featurecharacterization, for example, rough, thin wall, net, support, etc.

In some embodiments, the surface recognition component 825 may beutilized to provide additional data necessary to analyze and determinefeature types. In one embodiment, the user interface 820 may providefeedback to the user regarding the determined features and allow for theinput of selection and/or solution data that may be utilized by thePart-to-Build component 830 to modify and/or select the generated data.In some embodiments, the 3D model with associated orientation data,support data, and feature type data may be utilized as an input for aslicing component 813 which may generate slicing data for thePart-to-Build file 840. In an alternate embodiment, the analyzed featuredata based on the oriented 3D model and associated support generateddata may be used to determine the Part-to-Build file 840 and thentransmitted to the Job Processing Component 850 as input data forprocessing. In certain embodiments, the Part-to-Build component 830 hasan input for an optional component 828 that may allow for the inclusionin alternate data types in future Part-to-Build file 840 generation.

In some embodiments, the Part-to-Build system 800 may contain a jobprocessing component 850 that may generate a job file 870 for use by a3D printer in order to direct machining 880. In one embodiment, a userinterface 851 may be in communication with the job processing component850. In some embodiments, the user interface 851 may a user to input jobfile creation parameters based in part on the transmitted Part-to-Buildfile(s) 840. In one embodiment, the job processing component 850comprises a nesting component 852 and post processor 860. In someembodiments, the nesting component 852 may utilize input from a userinterface 851 to generate a nesting matrix that may allow for thenesting of various parts within the desired build. In one embodiment,the nesting matrix data is output to a post processor 860 that mayutilize all available data to generate a job file 870 for use by a 3Dprinter. In some embodiments, the job file 870 may contain all of thenecessary instruction to allow for the machining 880 of the desiredbuild.

FIG. 9 depicts a data workflow 900 of the generation of a machine jobfile 990 utilizing Part-to-Build data 910 according to various aspectsof the present embodiments. In a number of embodiments, the workflow 900takes in Part-to-Build data 910, for example, a Part-to-Build file, froman external and/or internal source. In certain embodiments, the sourcemay be from the 3D printer. In additional embodiments, the externalsource may be a remote user terminal that allows users to submit partsto be built at a third-party printing station. In some embodiments, theexternal source may be a computing device attached in some form(physical or wirelessly) to the machine job file generation component.In the embodiment of FIG. 9, a machine job file 990 may be determinedbased on the selected parts for inclusion in the machine job file 990upon being selected by the user as a job 940. The job 940 may be sent tothe machine 930 to determine machine-specific information data 932including, but not limited to, machine brand, and build chamberdimensions. The machine-specific data 932 may then be sent to apre-processor component 925. In some embodiments, data representing thefeature types 922 may be determined based on the Part-to-Build data 910at block 920. In some embodiments, the generated feature type data maybe utilized as input data for the pre-processor component 925. In someembodiments, feature type data may represent a closed body or geometryof the Part-to-Build data 910 which may be divided into a plurality offeatures, each having a topological specificity that may require aspecific manufacturing strategy. By way of example, and not limitation,a Part-to-Build file composed of a support, a massive region, and a meshregion may be divided into three different features since each feature(support, mass region, and mesh) may have a different associatedmanufacturing strategy. In still further embodiments, the pre-processorcomponent 925 may, based on the feature type data 922 and themachine-specific data 932, generate an exposure strategy 960 which maybe output as a set of data relating to each feature type for use in thepost-processor component 955. In one embodiment, the exposure strategy960 may be determined for the job based on associating an exposurestrategy with the feature type data 922 and machine-specific data 932.

In one embodiment, the exposure strategy data 960 may, for example, befor the use and direction of ultraviolet light for curing andsolidifying the pattern traced on the resin and joining to the printedlayer below. In one embodiment, the Part-to-Build data may includegeometric data extracted from the CAD file and/or all the data stored inthe CAD file. In some embodiments, the Part-to-Build data 910 is fedinto a slicer component 915 for slicing data determination. In certainembodiments, the Part-to-Build data 910 may already include slicing databased on previous slicing calculations done during the preparation ofthe Part-to-Build file (see FIG. 8, ref no. 813). In these cases, theslicer component 915 may simply pass the slicing data along without theneed for further slicing calculations. In other embodiments, whenrelevant slicing data is not present in the Part-to-Build data 910, theslicer component 915 may generate the slicing data necessary for passingto the post-processor component 955. That is, a check is performed bythe slicer component to determine whether the Part-to-Build data 910includes slicing data—which may be done via a flag—and if slicing datais already included, filter and pass that data to the post-processorcomponent 955. If the slicing data is not previously determined andincluded in the Part-to-Build data 910, then the slicer component 915may perform the slicing and determine generic slice data 950 to pass tothe post-processor component 955. Accordingly, the slicer component 915passes generic slice data 950 to the post-processor component 955.

The user-selected job 940 may require that parts be nested in order toincrease build efficiency. In some embodiments, the job 940 may bepassed to a nesting component 935 for determination of a nesting matrix970 and/or nested part which may be fed into the post-processorcomponent 955 for use. In additional embodiments, the post-processorcomponent 955 may utilize the nesting matrix data 970 in order totranslate the generic slice data 950 for use in a nested print job. Inone embodiment, the job 940 may provide data to the 3D printing machine980 where the machine 980 may determine and send data relating tomachine-specific attributes to the post-processor component 955. In someembodiments, the machine-specific data may be utilized by thepost-processor component 955 to better determine the data needed to begenerated in the machine job file 990. In some embodiments, thepost-processor component 955 utilizes all available input dataincluding, but not limited to, generic slice data 950, exposure strategydata 960, nesting matrix and/or nested part data 970, and/ormachine-specific data to generate a machine job file 990 that directsthe 3D printer to build and print the user-selected job as desired.

FIG. 10 depicts a functionalities workflow of a Part-to-Build system1000. In one embodiment, the workflow 1000 takes as an initial input aCAD file 1010 that is fed into a Part-to-Build block 1020. Within thePart-to-Build block 1020, the CAD File data may be passed through anorientation component 1021 to generate orientation data, and then asupport generation component 1022 to generate support data. In someembodiments, the CAD file 1010, orientation data, and support data, maybe utilized by the feature typing component 1023 to generate featuredata. In certain embodiments, slicing is not done by the Part-to-Buildblock 1020 and the Part-to-Build file 1030—comprising Part-to-Builddata—may be generated based on the 3D CAD file 1010, along with themanufacturing information comprising orientation data, support data, andfeature data. In other embodiments, the Part-to-Build block 1020generates slicing data via a slicing component 1024 and incorporates theslicing data as manufacturing data within the generated Part-to-Buildfile 1030. In one embodiment, the generated Part-to-Build file 1030 maynot, or is not intended to be, modified once it is created. That is, thegenerated Part-to-Build file 1030 may be validated upon generation todecrease the likelihood of future changes and/or tampering of the filestructure. In this way, the Part-to-Build file may be used fortrackability. The validating of the Part-to-Build file may be viasetting a flag that may indicate the state of the Part-to-Build datagenerated based on the CAD file. The flag may be used to prevent anymodification and fix and/or save the data in the current state to ensurethe trackability of the data through the job generation process andfurther, allow an association of the part with the Part-to-Build datafile.

In further embodiments, the job generation block 1040 may take as inputthe Part-to-Build data file 1030 and proceeds to generate exposurestrategy data in the pre-processor component 1041. In embodiments thathave nested parts, a nesting process 1042 may generate nested part data1043. In a variety of embodiments, the Part-to-Build data file 1030 maynot have embedded slicing data for use by the job generation block 1040,which would require the job generation block 1040 to pass the nestedpart data 1043 to a slicing component 1044 for generation of slicingdata. In a number of embodiments, a post processing component 1045within the job generation block 1040 may take sliced data from eitherthe slicing component 1044 or from pre-sliced nested part data 1043 andgenerate a finalized job data file 1050 for use by the 3D printer inorder to facilitate the selected build. In some embodiments, thefinalized job data file 1050 may comprise machine-specific position dataand exposure strategies associated with each slice in the print job.

Embodiments have been described with reference to flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) andcomputer program products according to embodiments. Each block of suchillustrations/, or combinations thereof, can be implemented by computerprogram instructions. The computer program instructions when provided toa processor produce a machine, such that the instructions, which executevia the processor, create means for implementing thefunctions/operations specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram.Each block in the flowchart/block diagrams may represent a hardwareand/or software module or logic, implementing embodiments. Inalternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occurout of the order noted in the figures, concurrently, etc.

Computer programs (i.e., computer control logic) are stored in mainmemory and/or secondary memory. Computer programs may also be receivedvia a communications interface. Such computer programs, when executed,enable the computer system to perform the features of the embodiments asdiscussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed,enable the processor and/or multi-core processor to perform the featuresof the computer system. Such computer programs represent controllers ofthe computer system.

The visual displays in the figures are generated by modules in local orcloud based applications on computing devices and/or on thesystem/platform, and displayed on electronic displays of computingdevices for user interaction and form graphical user interface forinteraction with the system/platform disclosed herein.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

It is contemplated that various combinations and/or sub-combinations ofthe specific features and aspects of the above embodiments may be madeand still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it shouldbe understood that various features and aspects of the disclosedembodiments may be combined with or substituted for one another in orderto form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Further it is intendedthat the scope of the present invention herein disclosed by way ofexamples should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodimentsdescribed above.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a part-to-build component,wherein the part-to-build component comprises a processor and anaddressable memory, the processor configured to: determine part datafrom a received at least one computer-aided design (CAD) file; generateorientation data associated with the determined part data via anorientation component; generate support data associated with thedetermined part data via a support generation component; generatefeature data associated with the determined part data via a feature typecomponent; and determine a part-to-build file based on: geometry dataassociated with the received at least one CAD file and at least one of:determined part data, generated orientation data, generated supportdata, and generated feature data; and a job generating component whereinthe job generating component comprises a processor and an addressablememory, the processor configured to: generate a nesting matrixassociated with a received determined part-to-build file via a nestingcomponent; generating slicing data based on the generated nesting matrixassociated with the received determined part-to-build file; determine ajob file based on the generated nesting matrix and the generated slicingdata, wherein the job file comprises data for operating athree-dimensional printer; and output the job file to athree-dimensional printing machine for performing three-dimensionalprinting.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the part-to-build componentprocessor is further configured to receive user input from a userinterface.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the part data comprisesdata relating to geometric information of at least one part stored inthe received CAD file.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the generationof support data is based on the generated orientation data.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the part-to-build component processor isfurther configured to receive surface recognition data related to thedetermined part data from an external surface recognition component. 6.The system of claim 5, wherein the generation of feature data is basedon the received surface recognition data and defines characteristicfeatures of the determined part data.
 7. The system of claim 1, whereinthe job generating component processor is further configured to receiveuser input from a user interface.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein thegeneration of the nesting matrix is further based on the received userinput.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the job file directs athree-dimensional printing machine to machine the part data containedwithin the job file.
 10. A method comprising: transmitting, by acomputing device, a request to a three-dimensional (3D) printing machinefor machine-specific data based on receiving job input data comprisingdata related to a desired build; receiving, by the computing device, apart-to-build data, wherein the part-to-build data comprises: geometrydata relating to at least one three-dimensional computer-aided design(CAD) file, and a set of manufacturing information data comprising atleast one of: part orientation data, support structure data, and featuredata; determining, by the computing device, feature type data;generating, by the computing device, exposure strategy data;determining, by the computing device, nesting matrix data associatedwith the received part-to-build data; and determining, by the computingdevice, slicing data based on the determined nesting matrix dataassociated with the received part-to-build data; determining, by thecomputing device, a machine job file based on the generated exposurestrategy data, determined nesting matrix data, and determined slicingdata.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the manufacturing informationdata comprises: part orientation data, support structure data, andfeature data.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the determination offeature type data is based on the feature data extracted from thereceived part-to-build data.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein thegenerating of exposure strategy data is based on at least one of thedetermined feature type data and the requested and receivedmachine-specific data.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein thedetermining of nesting matrix data is based on the received job inputdata.
 15. A device for generating a job file, the device comprising: aprocessor and addressable memory, the processor configured to: receiveat least one computer-aided design (CAD) file; determine part data fromthe at least one CAD file; generate orientation data related to thedetermined part data; generate support data related to the determinedpart data; generate feature data related to the determined part data;and generate a part-to-build file wherein the part-to-build filecomprises: geometry data related to the at least one CAD file and atleast one of: part data, orientation data, support data, and featuredata; generate exposure strategy data based on the part-to-build file;determine nesting matrix data associated with the generatedpart-to-build file; determine slicing data based on the determinednesting matrix data associated with the generated part-to-build file;and generate a job file based on the generated exposure strategy data,determined nesting matrix data, and determined slicing data.
 16. Thedevice of claim 15, wherein the generation of support data is based onthe generated orientation data.
 17. The device of claim 15, wherein thedetermination of slicing data is further related to the orientationdata, support data, and feature data.
 18. The device of claim 15,wherein the determination of nesting matrix data is related to thereceived at least one CAD file.
 19. The device of claim 15, wherein thegeneration of the job file is further related to the geometry data inthe part-to-build file.